Sponsored feature: building the future

Davis Langdon, an AECOM company, has been working with the public sector for many years on construction projects of every shape and size. As the government puts infrastructure at the heart of its plans for economic recovery, what does the company’s Head of Government & Public make of the challenges lying ahead?

John Hicks is positive about the UK’s prospects over the coming 12 months, although he’s realistic about the economic challenges facing the country. He is Head of Government & Public for construction consultants Davis Langdon, an AECOM company, so it’s fair to say he has a good perspective on the current economic and political context.

“I think 2012 is going to be the year in which the country comes to terms with the reality of our economic situation,” he remarks. “That means both the public and private sectors will accept the constraints of our fiscal times, and realise that we have to collaborate to drive recovery.”

More than that, thinks Hicks, the coming 12 months will provide an opportunity for the government to work with commercial bodies to form new relationships, and catalyse change for the long-term good of the country. “UK PLC is still well-regarded by international investors,” he opines. “We need to work together to ensure that remains the case in the future.”

Structuring economic vibrancy
As part of this, Hicks is encouraged to see that infrastructure remains a spending priority. “Projects like High Speed Two (HS2) and the Thames Estuary airport can act as primers to economic wellbeing,” explains Hicks. “If the country as a whole recognises this, and engages in positive debate about such plans, there is every reason to be confident in our chances of securing long-term economic and social benefits through infrastructure investment.”

In order to drive such positive debate, Hicks advocates a transparent approach to exploring the potential benefits and risks of new projects – whatever their scale. “Whether it is a big project like HS2, or a smaller project such as a local school or healthcare building,” he says, “we need to be open about the likely consequences. That’s the best way to ensure the public recognises the significance of good infrastructure to the health of our nation.”

Procurement priorities
If transparency is important in informing the public about infrastructure projects, Hicks also regards it as essential in the relationship between the public sector and private suppliers.  “The private sector needs as much information as possible about the government’s procurement priorities, and the procurement models at work,” he states. “Any lack of certainty will discourage investment, and make it difficult to plan for the future.”

Hicks cites the successful delivery of London 2012, in which Davis Langdon played a major role as part of the procurement, supply chain and delivery team, as an excellent example of how transparency breeds success.

“From the outset, we harnessed and analysed the whole supply chain,” he says. “As a result, we were able to ensure that each contractor, sub-contractor and consultant had the financial robustness as well as the capacity and capability to deliver the right output."  

Global expertise, local passion
Talking of the future, Davis Langdon is committed to playing its part in the UK’s recovery. “We work globally,” Hicks says, “and bring expertise gained throughout the world to bear on our projects in this country. We’re completely focused on delivering the best value to our public sector partners in the UK, whether at local government level or in the big departments. We are proud of our contribution to the wellbeing of society.”

For more information about Davis Langdon, please visit www.davislangdon.com

Last updated 114 days ago by Civil Service World